Texas Musicians: Townes Van Zandt
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (65390)
United States
July 19, 2024 11:30am CST
Another great day in late July? I’ll take it! Before I head off to a nice outside walk (hopefully as good as yesterday’s) I’ll give you another Texas born-and-bred musician. With a hearty “Linda? NO!!”, here’s today’s poet/singer.
Townes Van Zandt
Another favorite of @TheHorse ‘s and mine (and no, this countdown isn’t sponsored by him
), Townes Van Zandt is a case study in what could have been, and what was. This guy was a stinking genius with lyrics. Listen to a song like “Tecumseh Valley” and you’ll see the cinematic quality of his songwriting.
Sadly, Van Zandt had a number of problems. He had bipolar disorder, and that was made worse by addictions to alcohol and heroin. Maybe he desired to be Gram Parsons 2.0 (they had a lot in common: great songwriting, wealthy parents [Parsons’ grandfather has a hefty financial interest in orchards in Florida], and the demon of heroin
), but he lasted a lot longer than Gram did.
Van Zandt wrote a number of songs that are still covered today. The two most significant are “If I Needed You,” which was a hit for Don Williams and Emmylou Harris; and, what’s most likely his “signature” song, “Pancho and Lefty.” Recorded by Harris, and later a #1 hit for Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, the song has been covered countless times (including by our own Horse, which you can find on his YouTube channel).
A sad post-script: Steve Earle named his son after Van Zandt, Justin Townes Earle. Justin caught the heroin bug and died too young, too.
Would Townes have been the songwriter he was without it? I don’t know, but I wish he was still around for us to find out.
Townes Van Zandt
Born John Townes Van Zandt
March 7, 1944, Fort Worth
Died January 1, 1997, Smyrna, Tennessee (alcohol-related cardiac arrhythmia) (age 52)
HALLS OF FAME: Austin City Limits; Texas Heritage Songwriters
The classic “Pancho and Lefty,” as only Townes could do it:
![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/sad.gif)
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
9 people like this
5 responses
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@FourWalls (65390)
• United States
20 Jul
Yeah, what’s with not listening to Pony’s version?!? ![](/Content/images/emotes/rofl.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/hugs.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/rofl.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/hugs.gif)
4 people like this
@TheHorse (214031)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Jul
@FourWalls I sure hope shes heard it! It's my most watched video! ![](/Content/images/emotes/cry.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/cry.gif)
2 people like this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@RasmaSandra (77609)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Jul
This ones a no go not the singer nor the song,
3 people like this
@vandana7 (99882)
• India
20 Jul
I do not understand his lyrics. His lyrics are so abstract. Its like going to an art exhibition and trying to make sense of whatever is there in silence...could this be that, or maybe this....that is what the artist may have wanted show. Gone are the days of Daffodils, and many such works, which impressed because we related to them.
Indian lyricists make more sense to me, and I relate to them better.
2 people like this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@vandana7 (99882)
• India
20 Jul
@FourWalls If only Pony would understand the huge cultural differences, he would be more civil towards me...as things stand....
2 people like this
@FourWalls (65390)
• United States
20 Jul
Growing up on western movies (and, of course, in the U.S.), it makes perfect sense to me. But I completely understand your confusion with them.
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@FourWalls (65390)
• United States
20 Jul
I heard John Cowan say New Grass Revival did the first cover of a TVZ song when they covered “White Freightliner Blues.”
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
3 people like this
@TheHorse (214031)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Jul
@FourWalls I have played that one often at bluegrass festivals. It's fun.
2 people like this
@vandana7 (99882)
• India
21 Jul
I disagree Pony ji. There are prettier songs in your world. For love songs, I prefer Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer's "Something good". I also like Ain't no mountain high enough". I like Alison Krauss' or is it Ronan Keating's When you say nothing at all.
And of course Words...that one is so awesome lyrically. Its only words and words are all I have to take your heart away....that ....is romantic by Indian standards. LOL
And Nothing's gonna change my love for you............... that is also cute love song.
The words "If I needed you, would you come to me" ... I ask what if you came when I didn't need you..... awkward lyrically for me. And its like only for easing pain. That could be to a friend, not for love. Love should be more adventurous type of journey....
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (170715)
• United States
20 Jul
I remember Pancho and Lefty done by the @TheHorse. Have a good weekend.
3 people like this
![](/Content/images/loading.gif)